Outrage at murder in rescue bid

The US and UK have both condemned the “barbaric” murder of a British-born photojournalist by terrorists during a failed rescue attempt in Yemen.

American citizen Luke Somers, 33, who was held hostage for more than a year by al-Qaida, was killed by his captors during the second rescue attempt by the US military.

US president Barack Obama said he had sanctioned the night-time operation in Yemen’s southern Shabwa state because the reporter was in “imminent danger”.

On Thursday, a video featuring Mr Somers, who was captured in the capital Sana’a in September last year, was released by the group al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) who threatened to kill their hostage if the US authorities did not meet their demands in three days.

In a statement, the US president said: “The United States strongly condemns the barbaric murder of Luke Somers at the hands of al-Qaida terrorists during a rescue operation conducted by US forces in Yemen in partnership with the Yemeni government.

“On behalf of the American people, I offer my deepest condolences to Luke’s family and to his loved ones.”

Mr Obama added that information “indicated that Luke’s life was in imminent danger”.

“Based on this assessment, and as soon as there was reliable intelligence and an operational plan, I authorised a rescue attempt.”

Mr Somers’ sister Lucy said the family were informed of his death by the FBI on Saturday morning.

She told the Associated Press: “We ask that all of Luke’s family members be allowed to mourn in peace.”

A second hostage was also killed in the mission, named by aid charity Gift of Givers as South African teacher Pierre Korkie.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said he “saluted” the forces involved in the mission and offered his condolences to the families of both men.

“My deepest condolences are with the families of both hostages at this time,” he said.